Saint Mungos Delivery

Author's note: This is just another fascinating peek into what could have happened if the circumstances were tweaked a little concerning just how and with what timing the vampire and wizarding worlds came together in the process of meeting. This storyette was actually born out of a desire to see how various aspects of the canon birth scene would have played out for Edward. The same basic scenario, brought into a totally new setting, made this possible without significant redundancy. Naturally, it offered a few new possibilities to explore as well.

This storyette follows the same canon-loyal rules as my primary crossover story, Essentially Magical (and all others derived from it, except where noted), with the exception that I have given expression to a 'what-if' scenario that intrigued me – and tweaked the delivery results just a little bit. Also: through the accounts of a few portrait characters whose fate it had been to die at a vampire's hand, the wizarding world of this story knows just a touch more about the Undead Vampire species, than it does in Essentially Magical. As well, the relative location(s) of one or more magical buildings in London have been temporarily rearranged.

The timing of this story, as it relates to the greater timeline of Harry Potter series events, remains undetermined.

* * * Surprise * * *

In light of the instinctually murderous reputation ascribed to the most lethal species in existence, one wizard's idea of an overwhelmingly vindictive attack against the Wizengamot is to summon the thirstiest vampire in the world into the midst of their crowded meeting – from which venue he has painstakingly ensured that no one will be able to escape by apparation. To this end, the hardened wizard has clandestinely disabled all the area's vampire warding, and prepared himself a portkey which will immediately thereafter remove his person from the site of the impending massacre. (He'll have to actually stick around to perform the magic himself, since the summoning spell requires the caster's presence to accomplish… and even imperioused wizards will tend to object to acts of wanton suicide.)

Coincidentally, this notorious distinction ends up falling upon one Edward Cullen (due to the fact that, according to the spell's interpretation of vampire cravings – his being both thirsty AND in the presence of his singer designates him to be the thirstiest), who happens to be caressing his hours-before-delivery-pregnant wife at the time. Incidentally, Jacob has only just given his silent permission for Bella to be turned – without the threat of pack retaliation.

All of a sudden, Edward finds himself and Bella being unceremoniously pulled as if through a tube… and abruptly rushes to catch her in his arms before she falls completely to the ground – no longer having the support of the couch she had been laying upon. Alarmingly, the setting now is entirely new and unfamiliar: a bit medieval; some type of meeting place crowded with magical persons (?!) who are simultaneously surprised and utterly terrified by his presence. Somehow, they know without adoubt what he is, and why he was summoned – though they'd never actually seen a member of his species previous to this moment. Apparently, their magic would be ineffective to use against him directly, and so they know the danger is very real.

At this stage of her pregnancy, being transported in such a way is a very traumatic thing for Bella – and triggers delivery complications. Almost immediately, panting heavily, she tells her wary husband: "Edward…," abruptly heaving as if to vomit, "I feel… strange…"

"I know, Bella. I…" he starts apologetically, concernedly guessing she is referring to the abruptly alarming and totally unanticipated distress of their traveling experience.

And then, as she twists only slightly further in discomfort – a tearing sound is heard from inside her body. "Oh!" she gasps, before falling limp in his arms.

"Bella?!" he worries, frantic, before promptly zeroing in to the baby's thoughts to see what the problem might be.

When Edward realizes that their child is beginning to suffocate, he turns panicked – desperate for her welfare, as well as their baby's, in the midst of this foreign location. Checking quickly through the surrounding thoughts, he realizes that there is in fact a magical hospital very close by – and that it will be the best place for Bella to have what she needs.

Then she screams. It is an altogether bone-chilling sound to the wizards in residence… that is, until her vocalization is abruptly cut short by the unexpected throwing up of blood, as her body starts thrashing uncontrollably.

Absolutely terrified for her, amidst many of the wizards' own panic-stricken shouts Edward addresses the frightened Wizengamot urgently and evenly: "Where's your maternity ward?" Focusing their thoughts to be able to help her is essential.

Apparently, it is located in a building adjoining the Ministry's headquarters; thankfully, some of their more coherent thoughts show the way to get there. Not willing to waste any more precious time waiting for a verbal answer, Edward promptly disappears from the room as he runs them invisibly toward it.

Having learned of his civilian destination, along with having their curiosity piqued at her unexpected situation and his behavior in the process – especially in light of all the blood now staining the courtroom floor – an amazedly shocked Albus Dumbledore and two other brave souls from the Wizengamot (an open-minded older couple) follow after him as quickly as humanly possible – promptly jogging out of the meeting room far enough to be able to apparate directly there. Consequently, they will be around to quietly stand back and witness almost all of the proceeding events.

A/N: The summoning spell referenced here is NOT the simple 'accio' we know about (styled only for inanimate objects), but rather a much more dangerous enchantment which is uniquely effective upon the Undead populace. As has also been seen in various other fantasy stories, inevitably – those who would summon demons have to be very careful not to be destroyed by them.

Thanks for reading; constructive reviews are welcome!